Automatic scullery apparatus

ABSTRACT

An automatic scullery system and individual components thereof comprising a debris sorter which utilizes two inclined perpendicular belts, one of which is of a wire mesh and is spaced from the second belt and a size sorter which uses fixed diverters or cams that overlie a conveying surface to divert plasticware items off the conveying surface according to their respective sizes and shapes.

United States Patent 1 3,552,561

[72] Inventor Erik [.Naslund [56] References Cited Santa Clar C UNITED STATES PATENTS 1 pp 822,755 3,306,425 2/1967 Rapp,Jr.etal 209/102 [22] Filed Dec. 23,1968

Division ofSer. N0. 628,957, Apr. 6, 1967, FOREIGN PATENTS p 3,483,871 884,425 7/1953 Germany 209/103 Patented SI 1971 Primary Examiner-Allen N. Knowles Assignee FMC Corporation Attorney-Francis W. Anderson San Jose, Calif. a corporation of Delaware [54] AUT9MATIC Q P APPARATUS ABSTRACT: An automatic scullery system and individual 8 claims gmawmg Figs components thereof comprising a debris sorter which utilizes [52] U.S. Cl 209/73, two inclined perpendicular belts, one of which is of a wire 209/83, 209/90, 209/ 102, 209/75 mesh and is spaced from the second belt and a size sorter [51] Int. Cl B07c 0/00 which uses fixed diverters or cams that overlie a conveying [50] Field of Search 209/75, surface to divert plasticware items off the conveying surface 102, 83, 90, 73 according to their respective sizes and shapes.

PATENTEUJAW 5l97| 3552561 SHEET 1 OF 3 PATENTEUJAN SIB?! 3552.561

SHEET 2 0r 3 INVENTOR. ERIK 1. NASLUND BYJM AT TORNE YS PATENTEU JAN 5 lElYl SHEET 3 U? 3 INVENTOR. ERIK 1 NASLUND BY JZ M/Mw ATTORNEYS AUTOMATIC SCULLERY APPARATUS This is a division of application Ser. No. 628,957 filed April 6, 1967 which has been issued as US. Pat. No. 3,483,877.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The respective fields of invention are automatic scullery systems and sorters.

2. Description of the Prior Art The prior art systems of which applicant is aware are directed primarily to handling breakable heavy tableware.

SUMMARY Applicants invention is directed to overcoming the unique problems presented by the handling, sorting and cleansing of lightweight plasticware. The system takes particular ad vantage of the fact that most of the debris napkins, wrapping paper, food items etc., are of a weight light enough to be removed with the plasticware and to be later removed from the plasticware prior to a final sorting or washing operation.

The light plasticware and debris are removed from the heavy flatware and heavy tableware after being dropped into a tank of circulating water. The water is circulated over a banier or weir, which divides the tank into two sections, so that the light items pass over the weir with the water while the heavier items drop to the bottom of the tank. Conveyors remove the separated items from each half of the tank.

The debris sorter takes advantage of the fact that the debris is wet and generally has an uneven surface so that it will cling to an inclined wire mesh belt or conveying means whereasthe smooth hard plasticware slides toward one edge of the belt. The plasticware is retained by a barrier belt that is spaced from the wire mesh conveyor belt a distance sufficient to permit slidable debris to slip off the 'wire mesh belt and be I discarded.

The size sorter is a simple and inexpensive apparatus which utilizes the size and shape of the plasticware to deflect it off a belt at predetermined locations. An upstream diagonally disposed barrier or cam diverter is spaced vertically above a conveying belt to permit passage of the shorter items, such as plates and saucers, which are then deflected by a downstream barrier or cam diverter that is also diagonally disposed across the conveying surface. Both the upstream and downstream barriers deflect intercepted plasticware off the conveying surface in each case with the plastic plasticware having the largest dimension perpendicular to the barrier being urged off first.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1A is a schematic perspective that shows a portion of an automatic scullery system.

FIG. 1B is a schematic perspective that shows a second portion of an automatic scullery system. This portion is joined with the first portion along the indicated breaklines.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan of a portion of the automatic scullery system showing the debris sorter.

FIG. 3 is a vertical section of the debris sorter taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a vertical section downstream of the debris sorter and taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2. 7

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan of a portion of the automatic scullery system showing the size sorter.

FIG. 6 is a vertical section of the size sorter taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is also a vertical section of the size sorter taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 5. I

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary section looking generally in the direction of the arrows 8-8 in FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In general, the automatic scullerysystem comprises a weight sorter 20, a debris sorter 22, a size sorter 23, and a washer 24. In successive operations (I) the weight sorter removes plasticware and debris from heavy tableware and flatware (2) the debris sorter removes both soft and hard debris from the plasticware (3) the size sorter separates the plasticware into similar types and (4) the washer cleanses and dries the plasticware.

DEBRIS SORTER The debris sorter 22 is best shown in FIGS. 1A, 2 and 3, and consists of an inclined wire mesh belt 52. The wire mesh belt may be of any conventional construction with the openings being large enough to snag rough surfaced debris but small enough to allow slippage of the smooth hard plasticware toward its lower edge. Adjacent the lower edge of the wire mesh belt is a guide belt 53 disposed at right angles thereto. The guidebelt is spaced from the wire mesh belt a distance less than the radii or half the width of the plasticware but great enough to allow hard debris items, such as small disposable dressing containers, small sticks and the like, to pass off the wire mesh belt into a receptacle 54. A typical spacing is again about 1% inches. Plasticware and debris fall from the endless screen belt 34 onto the wire mesh belt 52. The debris which clings to the belt will be carried to a disposal apparatus, such as the grinder 55 (FIG. 1B). The debris'that slides on the wire mesh belt will fall through the gap between the lower edge of the belt and the guide belt and into the receptacle. Plasticware will rest against the guide belt and be carried along in the direction of the arrow 56 where it passes off the end of the guide belt onto an inclined smooth conveying belt 57 (FIG. 4).

SIZE SORTER The size sorter 23 is best shown in FIGS. 18 and 5-8. The size sorter consists of the smooth conveying belt 57 shown in FIG. 4 and upstream and downstream cam diverters 60 and 61, respectively. A longitudinal barrier 62 is provided along the lower longitudinal edge of the smooth conveying belt to prevent the plasticware from sliding from the belt. The upstream cam diverter is spaced above the smooth conveying belt 57 a distance just greater than the height of a relatively flat bowl, plate or saucer. A typical spacing would be 1% inches. The upstream cam diverter is fastened for vertical adjustable movement by conventional clamps 63 and for transverse and diagonal adjustment by slotted brackets 64. The downstream cam barrier 61 is spaced closely to the surface of the smooth conveying belt to intercept all of the dished passing under the upstream cam diverter and is adjustably mounted for vertical, diagonal and transverse adjustment by clamps 65 and slotted brackets 66. An inclined chute 68 is positioned adjacent the upper longitudinal edge of the smooth conveying and receives the plasticware deflected therefrom by the cam diverters.

As may be readily apparent the vertical height and diagonal position of each cam diverter is determined by the size and shape or height and transverse dimension of the, plasticware being sorted. At each location where a piece of plasticware is to be deflected off the smooth conveying belt the diverter is spaced from the edge of the belt a distance slightly less than the largest transverse dimension of the piece to be diverted. Additional diverters may also be employed if the plasticware consists of a large number of different pieces. As the plasticware is carried along in the direction of the arrow 69 the highest or taller pieces, such as cups and tumblers, are intercepted by the cam diverter 60 the smooth conveying belt at different points along its length. The cups, as shown, are of greater diameter than the tumblers and will be deflected off the smooth conveying belt prior to the tumblers. Likewise, large dinner plates will be deflected by the downstream cam diverter 6i off the smooth conveying belt prior to the smaller diameter bowls.

OPERATION The operationof the entire system and each component should be readily apparent. Trays of plasticware, debris, flatware and heavy breakable tableware are dumped into thewater in the weight sorter 20. The heavy dishes and flatware are separated at the flatware sorter 21 whereas the plasticware and debris that are removed from the weight sorter by the endless screen belt 34 are separated at the debris sorter 22. The plasticware is then carried to the size sorter 23 and then into the washer 24.

In view of this disclosure variations and modifications may be readily evident and therefore the inventions are to be limited only by the scope and interpretation of the accompanied claims.

lclaim:

1. Apparatus apparatus for sorting hard smooth articles such as plasticware or tableware from debris comprising, in combination, a conveying means for moving the debris and articles along a path, said conveying means having a mesh conveying surface inclined toward a longitudinal edge, said debris that is not slidable being snagged on said mesh surface, and said debris that is slidable, sliding off said conveying means, guide belt means adjacent said longitudinal edge for guiding the articles which slide to the longitudinal edge along said path, said conveying surface extending along said path a distance greater than said-guide belt means whereby the articles slide off said conveying surface after passing said guide belt means. I

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said guide belt means is spaced from said conveying surface a distance just less than the transverse dimension of the smallest article whereby pieces of slidable debris which are smaller than the spacing between said guide belt means and said conveying surface will fall between them. r

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said guide belt means is a moving endless belt.

4. Apparatus for sorting articles according to height and transverse dimension comprising a conveyor for moving articles along a path and having an edge disposed parallel to said path, a first cam diverter spaced a predetermined distance above said conveyor to intercept taller articles, said first cam diverter having a guide surface spaced diagonally from said edge to sort the taller articles into groups by diverting said taller articles off said edge at intervals detennined by the transverse dimension of the taller articles and the distance of the guide surface from said edge, a second cam diverter to intercept articles which are shorter than said predetermined distance, said second cam diverterhaving a guide surface spaced diagonally from said edge to sort the shorter articles into groups by diverting said shorter articles 01f said edge at intervals determined by the transverse dimension of the shorter articles and the distance of the guide surface of the second cam diverter from said edge.

5. Apparatus for sorting hard smooth articles including tableware and hard trash objects from debris comprising conveying means having a perforated conveying surface inclined toward a longitudinal edge for moving the articles and debris along a path, a moving endless belt for guiding articles along said path, said belt spaced from said conveying surface a distance just less than the height of the smallest piece of tableware whereby pieces of hard trash that are smaller than the spacing between said endless belt and said conveying surface will fall between them, said conveying surface extending along said path a distance greater than said barrier means, whereby the articles guided thereby slide off said conveying surface after passing said barrier means.

6. Apparatus for sorting articles according to height and transverse dimension comprising conveying means for moving articles along a path and having an edge disposed parallel to said path, cam means overlying saidconveying means and having a guide 'surface spaced from said conveying means to pass articles below a predetermined height and to divert articles above said predetermined height, said guide'surface extending toward said edge and inclined with respect theretoto dump articles over said edge at different positions according to the transverse dimension of the articles.

7. Apparatus for sorting articles according to size and shape comprising conveying means for moving articles along a path and having an edge disposed parallel to said path, cam means overlying said conveying means and having a guide surface for diverting articles over said edge and off said conveying means, said guide surface being spaced from said edge a first distance upstream in said path and spaced from said edge a lesser distance downstream in said path, said conveying means being inclined downwardly from said edge, and further including a chute inclined downwardly from said edge away from said conveying means.

8. Apparatus for sorting articles according to size and shape comprising conveying means for moving articles along a path and having an edge disposed parallel to said path, a first cam means overlying said conveying means, a second cam means disposed downstream of said first cam means, said first cam means being vertically spaced from said conveying means a distance greater than said second cam means, whereby articles passing under said first cam means are deflected off said conveying means by said second cam means, a guide surface on said first cam means for diverting articles over said edge and off said conveying means, said guide surface beingv spaced from said edge a first distance upstream in said path and spaced from said edge a lesser distance downstream in said path, said conveying means being inclined downwardly from said edge, and further including a chute inclined downwardly from said edge away from said conveying means.

Column 1, line 46 delete plastic UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,55 ,5 Dated Jan. 5, 1971 Inventor(s) Erik I. Naslund It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 48 c Column 2, line 53 after "convey "dished" to dishes line 66 after "60" insert insert belt Column 2, deflection off Signed and sealed this 23rd day of May 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER, JR. Attesting Officer ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Commissions; of Patents 

1. Apparatus apparatus for sorting hard smooth articles such as plasticware or tableware from debris comprising, in combination, a conveying means for moving the debris and articles along a path, said conveying means having a mesh conveying surface inclined toward a longitudinal edge, said debris that is not slidable being snagged on said mesh surface, and said debris that is slidable, sliding off said conveying means, guide belt means adjacent said longitudinal edge for guiding the articles which slide to the longitudinal edge along said path, said conveying surface extending along said path a distance greater than said guide belt means whereby the articles slide off said conveying surface after passing said guide belt means.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said guide belt means is spaced from said conveying surface a distance just less than the transverse dimension of the smallest article whereby pieces of slidable debris which are smaller than the spacing between said guide belt means and said conveying surface will fall between them.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said guide belt means is a moving endless belt.
 4. Apparatus for sorting articles according to height and transverse dimension comprising a conveyor for moving articles along a path and having an edge disposed parallel to said path, a first cam diverter spaced a predetermined distance above said conveyor to intercept taller articles, said first cam diverter having a guide surface spaced diagonally from said edge to sort the taller articles into groups by diverting said taller articles off said edge at intervals determined by the transverse dimension of the taller articles and the distance of the guide surface from said edge, a second cam diverter to intercept articles which are shorter than said predetermined distance, said second cam diverter having a guide surface spaced diagonally from said edge to sort the shorter articles into groups by diverting said shorter articles off said edge at intervals determined by the transverse dimension of the shorter articles and the distance of the guide surface of the second cam diverter from said edge.
 5. Apparatus for sorting hard smooth articles including tableware and hard trash objects from debris comprising conveying means having a perforated conveying surface inclined toward a longitudinal edge for moving the articles and debris along a path, a moving endless belt for guiding articles along said path, said belt spaced from said conveying surface a distance just less than the height of the smallest piece of tableware whereby pieces of hard trash that are smaller than the spacing between said endless belt and said conveying surface will fall between them, said conveying surface extending along said path a distance greater than said barrier means, whereby the articles guided thereby slide off said conveying surface after passing said barrier means.
 6. Apparatus for sorting articles according to height and transverse dimension comprising conveying means for moving articles along a path and having an edge disposed parallel to said path, cam means overlying said conveying means and having a guide surface spaced from said conveying means to pass articles below a predetermined height and to divert articles above said predetermined height, said guide surface extending toward said edge and inclined with respect thereto to dump articles over said edge at different positions according to the transverse dimension of the articles.
 7. Apparatus for sorting articles according to size and shape comprising conveying means for moving articles along a path and having an edge disposed parallel to said path, cam means overlying said conveying means and having a guide surface for diverting articles over said edge and off said conveying means, said guide surface being spaced from said edge a first distance upstream in said path and spaced from said edge a lesser distance downstream in said path, said conveying means being inclined downwardly from said edge, and further including a chute inclined downwardly from said edge away from said conveying means.
 8. Apparatus for sorting articles according to size and shape comprising conveying means for moving articles along a path and having an edge disposed parallel to said path, a first cam means overlying said conveying means, a second cam means disposed downstream of said first cam means, said first cam means being vertically spaced from said conveying means a distance greater than said second cam means, whereby articles passing under said first cam means are deflected off said conveying means by said second cam means, a guide surface on said first cam means for diverting articles over said edge and off said conveying means, said guide surface being spaced from said edge a first distance upstream in said path and spaced from said edge a lesser distance downstream in said path, said conveying means being inclined downwardly from said edge, and further including a chute inclined downwardly from said edge away from said conveying means. 